Cavaliers notes: Hornets stressing fundamentals with Anthony Davis

New Orleans Hornets coach Monty Williams has his work cut out for him.

He's stressing fundamentals and discipline in Anthony Davis' game, and to forget about the highlight-reel stuff.

Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft from Kentucky, has some flash to his game.

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"You remember thrilling and home runs," Williams said. "I'm trying to push solid. I'm more concerned with him setting solid screens or making sure he's in the right spot on the weak side. The home-run plays and the thrilling plays are a lot easier.

"We're stressing solid, singles over home runs. The ability to do that for a young guy is tough."

Part of the problem for younger players are the highlights on ESPN. Then they watch what transpired in Houston last weekend.

"They watch All-Star weekend with a bunch of nonsense, and they you try to get these guys back to playing winning basketball instead of the oohs and aahs," Williams said. "He's been that kind of guy. When those plays present themselves, he's capable of making them, and he makes it look easy. He's going to be a great player someday."

Cavs coach Byron Scott said he hasn't seen a lot of the 6-foot-10, 220-pound Davis.

"(He's) long, athletic, a great shot blocker and a good rebounder," Scott said. "He can affect game with his length and shot-blocking ability."

"I'm a big fan of Anthony's," Cavs guard Kyrie Irving said. "We're friends off the court. He has a gold medal and didn't even turn 19 yet. I have a lot of respect for his game."

Irving's minutes

Scott has figured out how to maximize Irving's minutes.

They have settled into a routine in which he plays the entire first and third quarters. He usually re-enters the game with about six minutes left in the game so he's fresh for crunch time.

Scott has been playing his leading scorer about 35 or 36 minutes a game.

"It depends on how the game is going," he said.

Until the last month or so, there were times Irving had to play more minutes. However, the second unit has been outstanding at times.

"Our second unit has done a great job of keeping us close or giving us the lead," Scott said.

A few minutes here or there can really make a difference.

"Any time you can steal a few minutes, he'll be fresher down the stretch," the coach said. "Kyrie uses so much energy pushing the ball."

National TV

For the first time this season, the Cavs were on national television (ESPN) vs. the Hornets.

"All guys want to play in nationally televised games," Scott said. "You want that recognition and for people to see you. What goes along with that is they better perform. People around the world can see us play.

"You should be geeked up for this game because it's on national TV."

Irving said he looked forward to it.

"We want to show the world what we can do," he said.

Quick shots

-- Fox Sports Ohio play-by-play man Fred McLeod said he wouldn't have any problems announcing the game with his broken left index finger. "I'm a right-handed announcer," he said.

-- Scott said he would attend Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss' funeral on Thursday in Los Angeles. Buss died of cancer on Monday at age 80. Scott said he'd take a red-eye back to Cleveland and be there for practice on Friday. Lead assistant Paul Pressey will run Thursday's practice.

-- Irving said Davis has taken ownership of his world-famous unibrow. "I thought he was going to shave it once he came to the league, but he's kept it," Irving said. "He's trademarked it, as well. The unibrow is his."

-- Irving said he's still feeling a little tired from his busy weekend. "I'm trying to catch up on it still," he said. He won't drink any 5-hour energy drink. "I don't drink caffeine," he said.

-- Hornets guard Eric Gordon was held out of Wednesday's game. Because of his knees, he hasn't played in back-to-back games. Rookie Austin Rivers started at shooting guard.